Lightning storm beautiful, but can be dangerous
Lightning caused a 50-acre fire and about a dozen palm tree fires in the Valley Thursday. Even a house was hit by lightning while neighbors where taking photos outside.
The light show provided a backdrop for some incredible pictures, but it also can be very dangerous.
One local amateur photographer is hoping her close call with lightning with serve as a lesson for others.
“We were outside taking pictures of the lightning, we were under cover, but we were taking pictures of this storm coming through,” said Palm Desert resident Gail Bakke.
Just a few houses down from Bakke, lightning hit a home and started a small fire
“To think this could have hit us while we were in our backyard. You just don’t think it’s that close,” said Bakke.
Lightning can strike as far as 10 miles from any rainfall. During a storm like Thursday’s, the National Weather Service says there is no safe place outside.
“For people’s safety make sure you stay indoors. If you are driving make sure you stay inside your car,” said Riverside Emergency Management Coordinator Eric Cadden.
If you get caught outside, NOAA says avoid open spaces, stay away from tall trees, metal fences, and overhangs. A patio cover will not protect you, neither will a golf cart. Instead head to your car.
A car is the only place amateur photographer Velma Pacrem will even attempt take pictures from during a storm.
“When I first started I was very careless, now I’m more careful because I need to be around,” said Pacrem..
Thirteen years ago, Pacrem got too close to a lightning strike.
“I saw this flash of light and felt (a) kind of tingling sensation all over the place,” said Pacrem. “I don’t want anything like that to happen to me again, it’s not a very good feeling. From now on I’m very, very safe.”
Pacrem said when she goes out, she makes sure she’s in the car and doesn’t touch anything around the car. With the window open. She can take some breathtaking photos a safe distance away.
She also puts a towel over the door, so she doesn’t touch any part of the outside of the car while taking pictures.
“I mount my camera on there and I just take the photos, whatever I can from the window, I don’t go out,” said Pacrem.
Pacrem says no picture is worth the risk.
“The shot will be there, there will be more lightning,” said Pacrem.
News Channel 3 and CBS Local 2 always loves to see your pictures, but please make sure you are safe while taking them. You can post them on our facebook page or email them to Newschannel3@kesq.com
